New species of ‘Music Frog’ discovered in Arunachal Pradesh

Blessed with plenty of flora and fauna, Arunachal Pradesh is a home for some of the majestic and rare species in the animal kingdom.

In fact, the frontier state can now boast of another discovery by scientists. A new species of ‘music frog’ has been discovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang and Lohit districts, a news that has elated the wildlife enthusiasts.

A 3-member team of scientists Bitupan Boruah, V Deepak and Abhijit Das achieved the breakthrough during their field surveys in both the districts between August and September last year.

The scientists in a journal Zootaxa have claimed that the new frog of the genus Nidirana is phenotypically distinct from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters. The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the specimens were discovered and collected.

The frog has a “robust” body, with males measuring between approximately 1.8 inches and 2.3 inches long and females measuring between about 2.4 inches and 2.6 inches long.

According to the scientists, the new species confirmed for the first time that the Nidirana genus has been found in India. Nidirana species are known in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.

The amphibians have ‘irregular shaped and sized spots’ on their eyelids and they have dark stripes around their moderately large eyes. Their pupils are gold-rimmed. Their irises are dark brown and have a golden spackle.

The frogs’ throat, forelimbs, thighs and lower legs are light brown and pinkish, according to the study. Their groin and the outside of their thighs are pale yellow with irregular dark olive patches, and their cream-coloured chest and belly have a golden tinge.